Summer is fast approaching. Before you head out to the beaches with your Yeti cooler filled with your favorite beverages, we wanted to take this time to give you some tips and advice on how to mitigate your chances of contracting a hidden enemy: skin cancer.
You may not realize it, but did you know that May is “Skin Cancer Awareness Month”? As such, we wanted to dedicate this blog on this crucial topic that hits close to home for us here at The Harrin Group, since we have family members that have to deal with this burden in their lives.
So what is skin cancer anyway? Well, according to our friends at the Skin Cancer Foundation, it entails the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in the epidermis (outermost skin layer), which can lead to some problems. These problems (mutations), can lead to the skin cells multiplying rapidly and forming malignant tumors, such as: basal cell carcinoma (BSC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
The two main triggers for skin cancer are the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and the usage of UV tanning machines. But the good news for you, is that if the skin cancer is detected early enough, a dermatologist can treat it with little to no scarring, and possibly eliminate it entirely.
Besides being careful out in the sun with proper sunscreen, it is imperative to also conduct a self-exam about once a month to see if anything looks out-of-place and to see a licensed dermatologist at least yearly, for a more thorough check.
Where does The Harrin Group come into play here? Well, if you want to have coverage in place before ever being diagnosed with any form of the “c” word (cancer), let us know, as we have cancer insurance policies that will pay you a lump sum amount, upon medical diagnosis. With 1 in 5 Americans developing cancer by age 70, it may make sense to ensure you and your loved ones are protected from the unknown in life, whether you reside here in Texas or sunny California.
So enjoy your Summer and please stay safe and protected!
For more on skin cancer, check out the quick video below from the Mayo Clinic on the main types ⇓
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Sources: Skin Cancer Foundation, Mayo Clinic
